Islamic bloc urges action as Gaza faces deadly winter

Pakistan, seven Muslim states warn of 'humanitarian collapse' in battered enclave

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and seven key Muslim countries on Friday voiced deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, warning that harsh winter weather combined with severe restrictions on aid access has pushed nearly two million displaced Palestinians to the brink of catastrophe.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates said heavy rainfall, storms and plummeting temperatures have further exposed the fragility of Gaza's already devastated humanitarian conditions.

The ministers noted that around 1.9 million displaced people, many living in makeshift tents and damaged structures, are now facing flooded camps, collapsing buildings, acute shortages of food, medicine and fuel, and heightened risks of disease outbreaks, particularly among children, women, the elderly and those with medical vulnerabilities.

They warned that exposure to cold weather, combined with widespread malnutrition, has significantly increased threats to civilian lives at a time when humanitarian access remains grossly insufficient and the entry of essential materials for basic services and temporary housing continues at a slow pace.

The joint statement strongly commended the efforts of United Nations agencies, particularly UNRWA, along with international humanitarian organisations, for continuing relief operations under what it described as "extremely difficult and complex circumstances".

The ministers demanded that Israel allow the UN and international NGOs to operate in Gaza and the West Bank in a sustained, predictable and unrestricted manner, stressing that any attempt to obstruct their work is unacceptable.

The eight countries reaffirmed their support for the UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and President Donald Trump's Comprehensive Gaza Peace Plan, expressing readiness to contribute to its successful implementation.

They said the plan offers a framework to sustain the ceasefire, end the war in Gaza and provide a pathway toward a dignified life for Palestinians, ultimately leading to self-determination and statehood.

However, diplomatic sources say that while these countries back the overall Gaza peace framework, they have reservations over certain policy aspects, particularly those related to timelines for reconstruction, long-term governance arrangements in Gaza, and guarantees for unhindered humanitarian access, deployment of international stabilisation force, issues they believe require further clarity and international consensus.

The ministers emphasised the urgent need to immediately launch and scale up early recovery efforts, including the provision of durable and dignified shelters to protect civilians from severe winter conditions.

Calling on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities, the statement urged pressure on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential supplies, including tents, shelter materials, medical aid, clean water, fuel and sanitation support.

They also called for immediate, full and unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza through UN channels, the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and hospitals, and the opening of the Rafah Crossing in both directions, in line with President Trump's plan.

The statement comes as Gaza faces one of its worst winters in decades, with aid agencies warning that without rapid intervention, thousands of civilians could face life-threatening conditions in the coming weeks despite the fragile ceasefire.